Optical fiber cable, method of manufacturing the same, and light source module including the same

Abstract

A plug that is engaged with a receptacle for light emission of a light source unit that emits a light beam having a flat-shaped cross section and an optical fiber having a burr defect in a part of an outer peripheral portion of an incidence end surface on which the light beam is incident are included. The plug is attached to an incidence end portion of the optical fiber in an arrangement in which the burr defect is located in a short axis direction of a cross section on the incidence end surface of the light beam incident on the incidence end surface in a state in which the plug is engaged with the receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical fiber cable, comprising:
 a plug that is engaged with a receptacle for light emission of a light source unit that emits a light beam having a flat-shaped cross section; and 
 an optical fiber having a burr defect in a part of an outer peripheral portion of an incidence end surface on which the light beam is incident, 
 wherein the plug is attached to an incidence end portion of the optical fiber in an arrangement in which the burr defect is located in a short axis direction of a cross section on the incidence end surface of the light beam incident on the incidence end surface in a state in which the plug is engaged with the receptacle. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the plug has a positioning structure for positioning of the burr defect, and 
 the burr defect is disposed at a position determined in advance in a relationship with the positioning structure. 
 
     
     
       3. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the plug includes a holding member that has a cylindrical shape having a through hole and that holds the incidence end portion in the through hole, and 
 the positioning structure is configured to include at least one of a protruding portion, a groove portion, or a flat portion having a surface parallel to a central axis of the optical fiber, all of the protruding portion, the groove portion, and the flat portion being formed on a surface of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       4. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the positioning structure includes the protruding portion or the groove portion, and 
 the position determined in advance is a position on a first straight line, which passes through the protruding portion or the groove portion and the central axis, or a position on a straight line, which is perpendicular to the first straight line, in a front view of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       5. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the positioning structure includes the flat portion, and 
 the position determined in advance is a position on a second straight line, which passes through the central axis and is perpendicular to a line formed by the flat portion, or a position on a straight line, which is perpendicular to the second straight line, in a front view of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       6. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the positioning structure is formed in vicinity of an opening of the through hole. 
 
     
     
       7. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the positioning structure is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       8. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the holding member has an air gap structure that forms an air gap extending in at least a long axis direction of the cross section on the incidence end surface from an opening position of the through hole. 
 
     
     
       9. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the air gap extends up to an outer peripheral surface such that the incidence end portion is viewable in a side view of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       10. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the plug has a housing member that holds the holding member while maintaining an arrangement of the burr defect with respect to the cross section on the incidence end surface. 
 
     
     
       11. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insert that is provided on an emission end surface side of the optical fiber and that is inserted into a subject; and 
 a light absorption member disposed at a position where the light beam emitted from the emission end surface is emitted. 
 
     
     
       12. The optical fiber cable according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the insert is a needle that is inserted into a subject. 
 
     
     
       13. A light source module, comprising:
 the optical fiber cable according to  claim 1 ; 
 a light source that emits a light beam having a flat-shaped cross section; and 
 a receptacle that is engaged with the plug in order to make the light beam, which is emitted from the light source, incident on the incidence end surface. 
 
     
     
       14. The light source module according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an optical system that condenses the light beam emitted from the light source onto the incidence end surface. 
 
     
     
       15. The light source module according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein a long axis diameter of the cross section on the incidence end surface is equal to or greater than ⅓ of a diameter of the incidence end surface. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable, comprising:
 preparing a plug, which is engaged with a receptacle for light emission of a light source unit that emits a light beam having a flat-shaped cross section, and an optical fiber having a burr defect in a part of an outer peripheral portion of an incidence end surface on which the light beam is incident; and 
 attaching the plug to an incidence end portion of the optical fiber in an arrangement in which the burr defect is located in a short axis direction of a cross section on the incidence end surface of the light beam incident on the incidence end surface in a state in which the plug is engaged with the receptacle. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the plug has a positioning structure for positioning of the burr defect, and 
 the burr defect is disposed at a position, which is determined in advance in a relationship with the positioning structure, by adjusting an arrangement of the plug and/or the optical fiber before attaching the plug to the optical fiber. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the plug includes a holding member that has a cylindrical shape having a through hole and that holds the incidence end portion in the through hole, and 
 the positioning structure is configured to include at least one of a protruding portion, a groove portion, or a flat portion having a surface parallel to a central axis of the optical fiber, all of the protruding portion, the groove portion, and the flat portion being formed on a surface of the holding member.